Legislation designed to help elderly

Two area state legislators will propose a constitutional amendment in the next few weeks that would hold the line on property taxes for the elderly.

Republican Reps. Kenny Wilk, Lansing, and Lee Tafanelli, Ozawkie, have hatched a plan aimed at helping Kansans who are 65 or older and who live in homes they own that are valued at $250,000 or less. Under the proposal, that group's property tax liability would be held at 2004 levels. However, the Legislature could adjust the valuation cap because of inflation.

The duo plan to introduce the legislation within the first two weeks of the session, which starts Monday. The plan must garner approval by at least two-thirds margins in the House and the Senate -- and then would be placed on the November 2004 general election ballot.